They scurried around, tripping
and falling over each other as they tied small bags onto the ends of
several ropes, then threw the other ends over the branches.

"What are you stupid mice up to now?" asked Coyote. "We
haven't got time to stop and talk Mr Coyote," squeaked one mouse,
throwing a rope over another branch. "Haven't you heard? North
Wind is on his way. He's going to throw hailstones as big as a bear's
paw at all the animals! We're going to climb into these bags and
pull ourselves up under the branches, so the hailstones can't hit
us."

Fearing the hailstones, Coyote said "I'll join you." All
the mice stopped dead in their tracks. "Ohhh!
I don't know about that," they squeaked. "If
you don't let me, I'll be mean to you again," shouted
Coyote.

"Alright. You can join us," squeaked the mice. "But
you'll have to get your own bag and rope because we don't
have anything big enough or strong
enough to hold you." "No problem," said Coyote. "I've got
everything I need at home". "Then hurry Mr Coyote, because North
Wind will be here any minute." Continue